Can I Claim Osteopathic Care Through Workers Compensation in NSW?

How Osteopathy Can Support Recovery After a Workplace Injury

If you have injured yourself at work, you may be wondering whether osteopathic treatment can be covered by your workers compensation claim.

The short answer is yes, osteopathic treatment can be covered under the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme, provided the treatment is related to your accepted work injury and the appropriate requirements are met. I recently completed the SIRA Allied Health Practitioner Training Program, which is designed to help allied health practitioners understand how to work within the NSW workers compensation system. The training covers areas such as the role of the practitioner, treatment planning, communication with insurers and supporting a worker’s recovery and return to work. SIRA describes completion of this training as a mandatory requirement for allied health practitioners seeking approval to treat workers compensation patients.

So, can workers compensation cover osteopathy?

Yes. Osteopaths are one of the allied health professions that require SIRA approval to provide treatment within the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme. This means that if you have an accepted workers compensation claim and your injury would benefit from osteopathic treatment, your treatment may be covered by the insurer managing your claim.

Osteopathy can be used for a range of musculoskeletal injuries, including back and neck pain, muscle strains, joint injuries and other physical conditions that have occurred as a result of work. The important thing is that the treatment needs to be clinically appropriate and linked to your accepted workplace injury. SIRA recommends that treatment is supported by clinical information demonstrating progress, functional improvement and recovery.

How do I get osteopathic treatment covered?

If you have a workers compensation claim, the process will generally involve a few steps.

1. Have an accepted workers compensation claim

You will generally need to have your workplace injury accepted as part of your workers compensation claim.

2. Speak with your treating doctor

Your GP or treating doctor can help establish the diagnosis and treatment required for your injury. They may recommend osteopathy as part of your rehabilitation.

3. Find a SIRA-approved osteopath

This is an important step. Osteopaths providing treatment through the NSW Workers Compensation Scheme must have SIRA approval and a SIRA provider number . Both Chris and myself (Luke) are SIRA approved at the clinic.

4. Your osteopath assesses your injury

At your initial consultation, I would assess your symptoms, how the injury occurred, how it is affecting your work and daily activities, and what treatment and rehabilitation may be appropriate. The aim isn’t simply to reduce pain. A big part of workers compensation rehabilitation is helping you safely return to your normal activities and, where appropriate, work.

5. Treatment is communicated to the insurer

Depending on the circumstances of the claim and the timing of treatment, an Allied Health Treatment Request (AHTR) may need to be submitted to the insurer for approval. SIRA states that an AHTR is mandatory for SIRA-approved allied health practitioners in the circumstances specified by the scheme. Your osteopath can help manage this process and provide the insurer with information about your diagnosis, treatment goals, expected outcomes and progress.

Does workers compensation pay the osteopath directly?

In many cases, the insurer managing your claim will cover the approved treatment rather than you having to pay the full cost yourself. The osteopath’s invoices need to meet SIRA’s requirements and include information such as your claim number, the provider’s details, relevant SIRA payment codes and the applicable fee. It is therefore important to speak with your osteopath and the insurer before commencing treatment so you understand what has been approved and what costs, if any, you may be responsible for.

Can I choose my own osteopath?

You can ask your insurer or treating medical practitioner about accessing an osteopath of your choice, provided the practitioner meets the relevant SIRA requirements. If you’re looking for osteopathic treatment for a work-related injury, I can help assess your injury, develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan, and work with the relevant parties involved in your workers compensation claim.

If you’ve injured yourself at work and are wondering whether osteopathy could be covered by your claim, get in touch to discuss your options.

Luke Dunmore

Msc Osteopathy, Bsc Sport Rehabilitation